New Berlin Eisenhower football players will serve five-game suspensions for hazing teammates

New Berlin Eisenhower football players who hazed their teammates will serve five-game suspensions as punishment for their involvement in the behavior.

The School District of New Berlin meted out those suspensions shortly after it conducted an investigation into possible hazing practices among the team following an anonymous tip. The investigation found that hazing did occur.

The hazing, according to an anonymous letter, involved older players "paddling" younger teammates with a wooden board "as hard as they can on the buttocks." The letter added that some student-athletes had considered leaving the team as a result.

According to a source, players received five-game suspensions beginning Friday night in the crosstown rivalry game against New Berlin West. Those suspensions will run through the penultimate week of the regular season, leaving open the possibility of the players returning for the final home regular season game and additional playoff games, if Eisenhower qualifies.

WTMJ reported Friday the suspended players include "team captains and other senior players."

In an e-mail, head coach Matt Kern told the Journal Sentinel he had been instructed not to comment on the investigation.

Superintendent Joe Garza said in a statement that specifics of the hazing, including detailed disciplinary action, would not be discussed with media but "student-athletes involved in these incidents will be held accountable."

The Lions have established themselves on the field as one of the area's most consistently successful programs. Prior to a 17-16 loss to New Berlin West on Friday, they had not lost a regular season game since Sept. 23, 2016, winning 21 consecutive Woodland Conference games and reaching the WIAA Division 3 state championship in 2017 and the state semifinals last year in that span.

Below is the letter about the hazing investigation sent to families by principal Matthew Buckley and athletics director Kevin Fitzgerald.

"This is a follow-up to our email about the possible hazing taking place among the varsity football team members.

"We received an anonymous tip over the weekend that prompted an immediate internal investigation by school administration. Over the last few days, we spoke with several players, coaches and parents. As a result of those interviews, we believe that hazing did occur. We believe, based on the information provided to us, the hazing occurred off school grounds and without knowledge of any of our coaching or school staff.

"It is important to note that prior to the start of the season, Activities and Athletics Director Kevin Fitzgerald proactively shared information with the team members - both in person and in writing - about team and school expectations, the co-curricular handbook, and specifically, hazing. It is unfortunate that not everyone took that messaging seriously, and we are shocked and disappointed that this happened.

"Please know that the student-athletes who organized, conducted or allowed the hazing to occur are subject to the school, school district, and School Board policies prohibiting hazing and will be held accountable for their actions. The District, however, is prohibited from sharing student information with anyone other than those students’ parents or guardians.

"We take these allegations seriously and we will continue to work with the student-athletes and coaches of all our teams, both this fall and throughout the school year, with the expectation that such behavior will not occur in the future."

Catholic Memorial wide receiver Joe Sikma streaks down the sideline on his way to a touchdown against Brookfield Central in the third quarter of a high school football game Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Carroll University. Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Brookfield Central tight end Ethan Olski (88) celebrates with Rashad Lampkin after Lampkin scored a touchdown in the first quarter of a high school football game against Catholic Memorial on Friday, August 30, 2019, at Carroll University. Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Football players from Greendale and Brookfield East high schools play at Greendale High School's Gavinski Stadium in Greendale, Wis. during a scrimmage featuring Greendale, Brookfield East, Racine Horlick and Milwaukee Riverside on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019. Colin Boyle/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel